When I Was But A Child
Part 1

  When I was but a child so young,
I was taught the golden rule,
Always be respectful to your elders,
Pay attention when at school.

We'd never think to backtalk,
For we liked our face attached,
We'd never throw a tantrum,
For we'd get our bottom smacked.

We knew all about the corner,
And what grounding came to be,
Or dragged along by one ear lobe,
Was the worst to happen to me.

I faced my sibling on a chair,
Had to apologise and become friends,
And show them that I really cared,
Or at least try my best to pretend.

I got to write a hundred lines,
My penmanship became great,
That was the punishment,
For when I came home late.

I helped to wash the dishes,
Sweep the floors and cook a meal,
When I got a quarter for my allowance,
I thought that was a big deal.

I got to watch Ed Sullivan,
Sometimes Bonanza too,
My treats were cabbage rolls and lemon pie,
When I was home, sick with the flu.

I knew how to play and have fun,
We spent our spare time outside,
The streets were so much safer then,
We didn't need a guide.

The boys they played with their toy guns,
We had our special doll,
No one really got into too much trouble,
We just seem to have a ball.